- Change text size for the story
- Print this story
- NHL All-Star Game
Not so long ago, when it came time to discuss the NHL’s best, it was Sid the Kid vs. Alex The Great.
And while Alex isn’t so great anymore, The Kid, despite battling a sore noggin as a result of concussions, is still the best of the best, according to our annual QMI Agency poll of NHL players.
NHLers obviously aren’t concerned by the medical reports because they voted for Crosby as the player they would build around. Alex Ovechkin got just one vote. Thanks Mrs. Ovechkin.
Crosby was noted in several categories: Best skater, best puckhandler and best passer.
The Big Z, Zdeno Chara, edged Shea Weber by one vote for the hardest shot and also got mentioned in the hardest hitter, best fighter and player to build around categories.
Some players marvelled over Red Wings centre Pavel Datsyuk and Blackhawks centre Jonathan Toews, who play the game well at both ends of the ice.
Sean Avery is always in the thick of things in this poll — thanks to his flapping gums. But he’s not an A-lister anymore — not with Steve Ott upping his game.
The poll did show there’s a change of guard on the way. Senators defenceman Erik Karlsson, Oilers forwards Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle were all noted as players who will be future poster boys for any poll of the NHL’s best.
Here are the top three in each of the 11 categories for the annual QMI Agency NHL player poll:
BEST SKATER
1. Marian Gaborik, NY Rangers.
2. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh.
3. Michael Grabner, NY Isles.
Honourable mention: Darren Helm, Detroit; Jay Bouwmeester, Calgary
HARDEST SHOT
1. Zdeno Chara, Boston.
2. Shea Weber, Nashville.
3. Steven Stamkos, Tampa.
Honourable mention: Dustin Byfuglien, Winnipeg
"Zdeno Chara’s big and strong. He’s a horse back there." – Western Conference player
BEST PUCKHANDLER
1. Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit.
2. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh.
3. Patrick Kane, Chicago.
Honourable mention: Jordan Eberle, Edmonton; Claude Giroux, Philadelphia
"Pavel Datsyuk is so dynamic that you could put him with anybody and he’s going to make something happen. I think he would be a 100-point guy on any other team. On (the Red Wings), he passes the puck and does other things. His defensive play is just as good as his offensive play. He’s incredible. If he were told to just go play offence, he’d have 150 points." – Eastern Conference player
BEST PASSER
1. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh.
2. Henrik Sedin, Vancouver.
3. Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit.
Honourable mention: Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit, Joe Thornton, San Jose
BEST GOALIE
1. Henrik Lundqvist, NY Rangers.
2. Tim Thomas, Boston.
3. Pekka Rinne, Nashville.
Honourable mention: Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh; Jimmy Howard, Detroit; Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary
BEST FIGHTER
1. Brian McGrattan, Nashville.
2. Shawn Thornton, Boston.
3. Matt Carkner, Ottawa.
Honourable mention: George Parros, Anaheim; Milan Lucic, Boston
"Shawn Thornton takes on all the big guys and does well against everybody,"- Western Conference player
HARDEST HITTER
1. Cal Clutterbuck, Minnesota.
2. Dion Phaneuf, Toronto.
3. Milan Lucic, Boston; Doug Murray, San Jose (tie).
Honourable mention: Nicklas Kronwall (Detroit)
BEST TRASH TALKER
1. Steve Ott, Dallas.
2. Brad Marchand, Boston.
3. Sean Avery, former NY Rangers player.
Honourable mention: Maxim Lapierre, Vancouver; Steve Downie, Tampa
"If you’re chirping (Steve Ott) in his face, he’ll say, "Your breath stinks" or something funny like that." – an Eastern Conference player
"Sean Avery makes me laugh. He just goes over the line. He told P.A. Parenteau he wasn’t going to get into any bars because (Avery) was going to e-mail everyone. You’re kidding me … He’s going to e-mail everyone? Come on." – Eastern Conference player
"Sean Avery just gets in your face and most of the time, it’s rated R." – Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings
"I watched the HBO 24/7 series. I don’t really pay too much attention to it on the ice, but was watching that and I think Scott Hartnell called (Evgeni) Malkin the ugliest guy in the league. And he gave Matt Cooke congrats on being the dirtiest player. It was pretty funny." – Toronto Maple Leafs’ Luke Schenn
NICEST GUY
1. Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit.
2. Ray Whitney, Phoenix.
3. Jarome Iginla, Calgary.
Honourable mention: Kurtis Foster, New Jersey; Teemu Selanne, Anaheim
PLAYER TO BUILD AROUND
1. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh.
2. Jonathan Toews, Chicago.
3. Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit.
Honourable mention: (Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Edmonton; Taylor Hall, Edmonton; John Tavares, NY Islanders; Steven Stamkos, Tampa)
"Player to build around? (Sidney Crosby). He does it all. He does not just get points. You watch him play … he is always in the right position defensively. And the way he handles himself on the ice, I don’t think there is anybody like him." – Buffalo Sabres’ Tyler Myers
"Jonathan Toews is the complete package, brings it every night, competes hard, plays both end of the ice in all situations and I think he is a natural leader." – Eastern Conference player
"Jonathan Toews — leader, talent, work ethic and passion." – Western Conference player
"Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is young and looks like the real deal." – Chris Butler, Calgary Flames
"You just know Taylor Hall is going to be a winner." – Western Conference player
"John Tavares is young and skilled and the hardest-working guy I’ve been around." – Blake Comeau, Calgary Flames
BEST JERSEY
1. Chicago Blackhawks.
2. Montreal Canadiens.
3. Toronto Maple Leafs.